Sunday, July 10
BARDASCINO PARK
Then evening really fell, the fireflies rising
From the grass like smoke.
Rebecca kissed Jessica on the cheek;
Annie was standing on tiptoes
At the curb, waving goodbye
Through the dusk.
I stood apart from the others
To smoke my cigarette,
Wondering if I saw myself as good.
Mark trailed off at the park path’s curve.
Michelle unstrung the lanterns from the trees.
Standing apart, my coldness seemed clear to me.
When I was alone, I felt such simple affection
For those I cared for, promising to only
Approach them with kindness. Why, here,
Among others, did that kindness of solitude harden
So easily? What kind of love was that. (Grady Chambers)